A field study trip was organised for Botany students to the Satpal Arboretum, Dharbandora on 4th October, 2024. 14 students of Botany accompanied by Dr. Janet Mascarenhas and Dr. Puja Sakhalkar visited the arboretum with the objective to explore the diverse medicinal plant species maintained there and gain knowledge about their medicinal uses.
The Satpal Arboretum is a scientifically designed botanical garden with 80 plots, each planted with a specific plant or tree species. The arboretum features several thematic sections, such as Rashi Nakshatra Van which contains a collection of plants associated with zodiac signs; Swasthya Van which has a section dedicated to medicinal plants promoting health; Navagraha Van which features plants linked to the nine planets in Vedic astrology; Saptarishi Van which contains plants associated with the seven sages of Indian mythology and a Medicinal Plants Section which is a dedicated area for medicinal plants with a rich diversity of species used in traditional medicine. The arboretum also has a Cactus House, Orchid House, a Fernery and a Butterfly Garden.
The visit to Satpal Arboretum was an informative and enjoyable experience as students gained knowledge of various medicinal plant species and their uses. They were later guided to prepare a report of the field study trip.